A bold, new frontier for spinal surgery enhancing post operative results

MedTech News: Innovation during lockdown is continuing in New South Wales with the completion of ground breaking neurosurgery that is transforming patient lives.

Experienced neurosurgeon Dr Marc Coughlan recently completed surgery for a Central Coast patient where a cancerous spinal tumour was removed by replacing the affected area with 3DMorphic’s technology, a 3D replica of the patient’s own vertebrae through a vertebrectomy.

It’s a bold, new frontier for the hospital and for neurosurgery according to Dr Coughlan who said he’s thrilled to be able to offer this type of procedure right here on the Central Coast.

“This kind of surgery is exciting because it is often for patients who are in a great deal of pain or are at risk due to cancer so it provides the opportunity to dramatically transform their lives as they know it,” Dr Coughlan said.

“Rather than using off the shelf, generic implants, new 3D Vertical Surgical Cloning technology, means that the model fits the patient’s anatomy seamlessly and allows for virtual surgical planning, providing better stability and load sharing and consequently reduce stress hot-spots.

“This type of technology also means that these surgeries are significantly more time efficient and can help a wide range of patients experiencing invasive tumours or issues that mean an off the shelf implant would not work for them.”

Chief Executive Officer of Gosford Private Hospital and Healthe Care Australia Regional Manager Matt Kelly said he was proud that the hospital was able to play host to such innovative surgical milestones.

“It is incredibly important that even during challenging times such as the times we find ourselves in that we continue to innovate, push barriers and embrace technological advancements where possible,” Mr Kelly said.

“This cutting edge surgery and technology has the capacity to improve the lives of many in our Central Coast Community and it’s our responsibility as a premier health facility to continue delivering high quality care to the region.

“Last month we had the pleasure of welcoming our first patient to experience the new, $3.5M da Vinci Xi robotic surgical system supplied by Device Technologies, which resulted in a successful removal of an aggressive cancer.

“Dr Coughlan’s work and our new surgical robotic system is just further proof that residents need not travel to Sydney to experience industry leading surgical procedures.”

According to Blue Bay resident, 69 year-old Dianne Tandy, she didn’t think twice about signing up for the surgical procedure.

“Originally I was diagnosed with breast cancer which has since metastasised to my spine and prior to the surgery with Dr Coughlan, I was in daily, endless agony due to a tumour in my spine,” Ms Tandy said.

“It was no question for me, if it could improve my day to day life I was happy to give it a shot and it was amazing to note the difference post-surgery in terms of pain and discomfort.

“If I can help someone else who may benefit from following this treatment and surgical pathway then it is worth it 100%.”

Miss Tandy will be undergoing further neurosurgery in October for another tumour located within her brain under Dr Marc Coughlan.